Hope Falls: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

  “You know me. You’re a regular old Miss America.” As she walked in, she started peeling off her warm layers—scarf, gloves, sweater. Underneath it all, she was wearing her pajamas which made him chuckle inside.

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Katie. Why not Miss Universe in her pjs? Did I wake you?”

  It didn’t surprise him that she had already circled his living room and was heading toward his kitchen and breakfast nook.

  “No, I’ve been up since early this morning writing. I had just gotten off the phone with my sister-in-law when you called.”

  “You didn’t run this morning?” he asked.

  She winced, a frown on her face. “To be honest,” she said. “I’ve been flaking when you’re on shift. It’s not as motivating to go on my own, so my ass thanks you for getting me up and moving.”

  “You can tell your ass you’re welcome.” He headed to the dining table and pointed to the place settings. “Lunch is ready. I didn’t have time to make fries, but I have some chips.”

  She looked down at the spread, smiling. “Oh my, Case. Thank you so much. That sandwich looks delicious. And my ass thanks you again for not feeding me fries.” Katie laughed at her own joke, as she always did. And he laughed because she did. It was a vicious cycle.

  They sat down across from each other and started eating. He was finished with only a few bites, while Katie took a few more. He loved that she didn’t try to act dainty and polished in front of him. He had been with his share of women who put on a front. Or who were really like that. It didn’t appeal to him. He had never met anyone like the woman sitting across from him, and she was quite appealing.

  “So where is this view you were bragging about?” she asked as she sat back and rubbed her belly. He had seen a lot in his thirty years, but a woman patting her belly after a meal was not one of them. He was stunned speechless by how ridiculously adorable she was. “What?” she asked, brows pulling down at his expression.

  He shook his head, a silly grin on his face. “Nothing.” He got to his feet and gestured to the sliding door that led to the balcony. “Let’s go outside.”

  She wiggled in her seat, rubbing her hands together as if she were getting ready for something exciting. He watched her as she stepped outside. Her mouth hung open and her eyes went wide. Slowly, she walked the perimeter of the deck, looking out at the scenery. He could see what she was thinking, feeling. He felt the same way every time he came out here. It was a large half-moon shaped area with an extraordinary view of Hope Falls. The only views that were better were the ones up in the mountains where the high-priced properties were. He was a saver and could afford to live up there, but he loved being in the heart of the town.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, turning to him. Her eyes were glassy, but she had a huge smile spread across her face. “If I lived here, I’d never leave this spot. I’d probably sleep out here under the stars if it weren’t so damn cold.” She crossed her arms over her chest and shivered.

  Casey stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “It’s cold as balls, right?”

  She leaned into him, her back to his chest. “It sure is.”

  She shivered again and he held her tighter. She felt good in his arms, like she belonged there. He knew he should back away, but she relaxed against him and he took that as a sign that they were exactly where they should be. “There’s a fireplace. Want me to get one started or do you have to get back to work?”

  “Don’t you want to rest? I bet you haven’t slept since you got off work?”

  “I’m good if you are.”

  She tilted her head and looked up at him, a silly grin on her lips. “Tell me where the blankies are and I’ll get one while you get the fire going.”

  Casey chuckled inside. She was just like a little kid. She was thrilled by the smallest of gestures and her excitement sparkled in her eyes. He didn’t realize how dim his world had been until she walked right in and lit it up.

  He told her where to find the blankets while he got the fire going. He positioned two chairs in front of it, facing out toward the mountains so she could see the skyline.

  When she came back, she said, “You better move the big lounge over here. I only brought one blanket for us to share. Well, unless you plan on freezing your ass off.”

  She never ceased to surprise him. She wanted to share a blanket with him. Again. He felt like a lucky son of a bitch. First, he got to make lunch for her. Then he held her in his arms. And now he was going to chill with her and enjoy the warmth of a fire.

  What the hell, Casey. She’s just a friend, buddy. Relax.

  That’s what he planned on doing. He was going to relax with a friend. And they did. They sat back on the double chaise lounge together, a blanket spread across both their laps and held up just below their chins. The sound of the fire crackling and snapping, along with the rustling of the trees were the only sounds to be heard.

  After soaking in the moment, Casey decided to ask her about her book. “So tell me about your novel.”

  “It’s a second chance love story,” she said.

  “What’s that?”

  She elbowed him. “Duh. It’s exactly what it says it is. It’s when a couple gets a second chance at love.”

  “Aha,” he said. The idea that she was writing about second chances made him think of the douche that broke her heart. “Are you writing about your ex?”

  This time she elbowed him harder. “You’re joking, right? That ship has sailed, Casey. It’s long gone and never coming back.”

  “But, do you want it to?”

  “No way. Just because I told you about him doesn’t mean I still want him. Do you still want Nicole?”

  He playfully nudged her. “Hell no.”

  “Exactly. I just love the story. It came to me and I wanted to tell it. The idea of unrequited, lost love found again is so special, so romantic.”

  “So is newfound love,” he said, not knowing where in the hell it had come from. He’d do himself some good if he just kept his mouth shut, but Katie just brought out the word vomit in him. He kept coughing up shit that he never anticipated.

  He didn’t get an elbow in the side this time, but she did lay her head on his shoulder. And that was just fine by him.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  KATIE

  After the river walk the other morning and the fireside nap with Casey, Katie was in dire need of some girl time. When Shelby invited her to dinner at Sue Ann’s she couldn’t get out of the house fast enough. She grabbed her keys, gloves, and a scarf and ran out to meet her friends. She still couldn’t find her favorite beanie, so she pulled her hoodie over her head to block the chill on her walk over.

  Her phone rang just as she was about to open the door to the cafe. She looked at the screen to find that her good friend Owen was calling.

  “Hey, big guy!” Katie yelled into the phone. She was thrilled to hear from him. “Miss me?”

  “You bet, Katie bug,” he said, sounding as happy as ever. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time. You’re not in the middle of a nudie scene, are you?”

  She rolled her eyes at his choice of words. “You’re a grown man, O. You can say sex.”

  “Not to my friend’s little sister.”

  “I’m not just Ryan’s little sister. I’m your friend too, jerkbutt.”

  “Yeah, but when you call me names like jerkbutt, I forget that you’re an adult, Katie bug.”

  “Or maybe it’s the fact that you still call me that ridiculous nickname.”

  “You know you love it.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, I do.”

  “So what’s happening? I thought you were done with dating. And firefighters were dead to you. Yet, word on the street is that you have a new boyfriend and he’s a local fireman.”

  Katie was going to kill her mom. And her brother. And his wife. She didn’t know which one of them started the rumors, but it was going to be off with all of their heads.

&nb
sp; “I don’t have a boyfriend. Not a fireman, policeman, or a plumber. I’m as single as they come.”

  “Umm hmm,” Owen teased her. They had become good friends when Ryan started working with him and Katie started taking his boot camp classes. He gave a good ass kicking and if he saw how round she’d become, he would probably make her drop and give him twenty. About a hundred times. “So who’s the guy? Do I need to come down there and start busting heads?”

  This made her laugh. It was only a few days ago when she threatened to cut a bitch for Casey. It’s nice to know that she had someone in her corner who was willing to do the same thing.

  “His name is Casey, and we’re just friends.”

  Owen chuckled. It was good to hear that big hearty laugh over the phone. It reminded her of home. “Sorry to break it to you, bug, but there’s no such thing as just friends between a man and woman.”

  “You and I are just friends.”

  “That doesn’t count. You’re Ryan’s little sister and one of my students.”

  “Hasn’t Rachel taken your classes before?” Katie asked of Owen’s fiancée.

  “Yes, and she wanted me so bad she stopped coming.”

  She rolled her eyes. Big man. Big ego. Never failed. “Whatever, O. I gotta run. I’m meeting someone for dinner.” She could see Shelby through the window and knew they were running out of time before she’d have to be at the bar.

  This time, he whistled into the phone. “Casey?” His singsong tone made her want to laugh aloud again. She really missed this guy. They had become even closer in recent months when Owen had decided to finally “woo the girl” as he put it. He often called her for dating tips on where to take Rachel. It was fun, filling him with ideas she knew would work on her if a man was ever interested enough to want to make her happy. Rachel and Lizzy were two of the luckiest women she knew. Her brother and Owen would move mountains for their women. Well, she knew they’d move mountains for her too, but it sure wasn’t the same thing.

  “No, not Casey,” she said. It was like she was answering Owen and her own thoughts simultaneously. “I’m meeting my only girlfriend in town. Did you call for anything in particular?” Shelby waved at her and she held up a finger silently asking her for just a minute.

  “Just calling to give you shit.”

  Katie shook her head before telling him, “Mission accomplished.”

  “Be careful, Katie bug. I don’t want you to get hurt again, but I want you to have some fun. You deserve to be happy.”

  “I am, O. I’m happy as ever here.” She smiled as her gaze traveled up and down the street. Hope Falls was amazing.

  “You’re not thinking of staying, are you?”

  Oh crap. Katie realized how that came out. She started backpedaling as quickly as possible. “No, no, no. Owen, don’t you tell my brother that. I’m coming home. I promise.”

  “All right. Go ahead to your dinner. It was great chatting with you.”

  “Same here. Say hi to Rach for me.”

  “Will do.”

  Katie took a second to herself before she went inside. The last thing she needed was her mom thinking she wasn’t coming home. But she was being honest with Owen. She was happier than ever in Hope Falls. It was definitely going to be hard to say goodbye to the town and its people.

  When she finally made her way inside, she was surprised to see Casey and Chris. Casey looked just as surprised to see her. She waved over at his table, but went over to where Shelby sat and joined her. She was already late enough.

  “Hey, girl.” Shelby stood and gave her a hug. “It’s been too long.”

  They both sat down and the chatter flowed like usual. Only, for Katie, it was hard to concentrate entirely on the conversation with Casey on the other side of the room. She kept stealing glances at him and wanted badly to go over and say hello.

  “What took you so long to come in?” Shelby asked. “Were you on the phone?”

  “Oh, yeah. Just a friend from home. Rumors have spread that I have a boyfriend. I told my mom about making a friend.” She nodded in Casey’s direction. “And now she’s buying my wedding gown and knitting baby blankets.”

  “You guys do spend a lot of time together.” Shelby grinned.

  Katie looked up to the heavens for support, then said, “Not you too.”

  Her friend put her hands up in surrender. “I’m not saying anything.”

  “How about you tell me what you guys want for dinner?” Kelly King had swooped in their conversation.

  “Where’s Sue Ann?” Katie asked.

  “She’s off tonight. You’re stuck with me, so what do you want?”

  Shelby narrowed her eyes at the waitress leaving Katie to wonder what the backstory was there. She wasn’t going to make an issue of it though so she gave Kelly her order and so did Shelby.

  “What’s up with her?” Katie asked when the coast was clear.

  “You don’t have a dick is what’s wrong with her. You don’t get nice Kelly unless you’re dating material.”

  She acted like her feelings were hurt. “I’m totally dating material.”

  Both girls laughed. Katie even slapped her thigh; she thought it was so funny.

  “What did I miss?” Casey stood over them smiling.

  “Katie was just telling me that she was acceptable dating material for Kelly.” Shelby tried to keep a straight face, but Katie knew she’d crack and she did. They both started laughing wildly again.

  “Well, she is quitting men for a while, so if she’s what floats your boat, then go for it.” Casey nodded in Kelly’s direction as she worked the room. “Want me to hook you up?”

  “Don’t you dare,” Katie told him.

  When they settled down, Casey held up her favorite beanie. “Look what I found.”

  “Where was it?” she asked.

  “In my truck, under the seat.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t know how it got down there, but I swear you need some of those electronic whistlers attached to all of your stuff. You can just set the alarm off when you lose something.”

  Katie reached out to get it from him, but he held it away from her. “I’m going to put it right here before you end up leaving it in the booth or on the floor.” Casey tucked it inside the hood of her sweatshirt. She had to admit it was a good idea to put it there. One she had never thought of.

  “You seem to know Katie pretty well, C-Dog,” Shelby said, smiling and gazing back and forth between the two of them.

  “I guess you could say that.” He looked at Shelby as if she were drunk and stupid. “Chris is waiting outside so I gotta go. I’ll see you both at the bar?” It came out as a question to which both ladies nodded.

  “Yeah,” Katie said. “See you later.”

  He left with a gentle tug at her bun.

  When he was out the door, Shelby let out a squeal. “You guys are too cute.”

  Rolling her eyes, Katie let out an exasperated breath. “Whatever.”

  Dinner was delicious as usual, but as they ate, Katie couldn’t take her mind off of Casey. Things had become very familiar between them. The more she thought about it, she could see what Shelby had seen. They were getting close. Casey did know her well. Too well. They had both spilled their guts to each other. Had told each other things that other people didn’t know.

  She hadn’t planned on them getting as close as they were. It scared the hell out of her. She had just told Owen she was coming home. The thought of leaving—leaving Casey—made her throat squeeze and her eyes burn.

  When she and Shelby were finished with dinner and made their way to the bar, Katie didn’t go inside. She made up something about not feeling well and kept on walking toward the B&B. She needed to put some space between Casey and her. If she went into JT’s, she’d end up shooting pool with him and his friends.

  She was in Hope Falls to finish her book. She was trying to write a happily ever after. She knew better than to think one existed for her in real life. Both she and Casey were evidence of
how people could be treated so badly in a relationship—being used or never more than just an afterthought. It’s no wonder so many men and women walk through life broken and afraid to take a chance on love.

  For Katie, the risks were much easier to take on paper.

  CASEY

  “You really like her, don’t you?” Chris asked him when they finally left Sue Ann’s.

  “Who?” Casey knew exactly who he was talking about but stalled anyway. He didn’t know how to answer his friend. It was a conversation he wasn’t ready for or willing to have.

  “Stop acting like an idiot. She’s not like the other women who have passed through Hope Falls. You like her enough to want her to stay, don’t you?” His friend was smiling at him. It wasn’t like he was acting like a dick about it. He was just asking if he was interested. Why was that so hard to answer?

  “We’re just friends,” Casey told him.

  Chris sighed. “Sure, that’s the official statement both of you are going with. Either you two are blind, or you’re scared.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He didn’t do this with people. He didn’t talk about his feelings, his personal life.

  Only he had.

  That changed when he told Katie about his mom and Nicole. He didn’t regret telling her. It was just… he didn’t do that. Ever.

  “Whatever, dude,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  “You know what,” Casey told him. “I’m just gonna head home. Something’s not sitting right in my stomach.”

  Chris shook his head. “All right, man. It’s something called denial.”

  “Fuck you.” Casey stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away from his friend.

  “Hey, Case,” his friend called out. When he turned around, Chris smiled. “It would be all right if you liked her. She’s pretty cool.”

  Casey nodded. She was pretty cool.

  Instead of going home, Casey got in his truck and drove to the only place he felt sane besides the firehouse.

  He drove straight to his dad’s.

  When he arrived, he sat in his truck wondering how he’d gotten there. Streetlights. Stop signs. On ramps and exits. He didn’t remember any of them. The only thing on his mind was a beautiful woman with warm brown eyes that made him feel at home when he stared into them. He’d never felt that way about a woman before. Sure, he thought he loved Nicole. But that was high school, puppy love. This…with Katie…was different. They were adults. They’d had adult conversations and had become adult friends. He wasn’t ready for adult love. He was a strong, grown-ass man, but with his heart, he still felt like a little boy afraid to take a chance.